Millbrook Dairy Company

What Millbrook Dairy Company does

Millbrook Dairy Company Ltd is a UK-based private dairy trading and distribution business founded in 2018 by David Evans and Kevin Beer, two industry veterans with over 20 years of experience previously at Pilgrims Choice Cheese, Ornua, and North Downs Dairy. The company operates as a global buyer and seller of cheese and butter, sourcing from BRC/GFSI-accredited producers and supplying UK wholesalers, cash-and-carry operators, supermarkets, convenience retailers, foodservice operators (airlines, cruise, rail, hotels, restaurants), and food manufacturers across Europe, North America, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific. It also operates a wholly-owned Dutch subsidiary, Millbrook Dairy Europe BV, established in April 2022 to drive continental expansion.

The core offering is built on three pillars: (1) bulk cheese and butter trading across a wide variety of styles (cheddar varieties, Red Leicester, Wensleydale, Cheshire, Gouda, Edam, mozzarella, smoked, butter portions and 25kg bulk); (2) proprietary and partner branded products including 1057 Scottish Extra Mature Cheddar, Seanachai Irish Cheddar, Shirgar Welsh Butter, and ZZA IQF mozzarella; and (3) fee-based expert services — hand-selection grading, stock inspection and valuation across UK/Ireland/EU, and bespoke product development for wholesalers and foodservice. The company's distinguishing capability is its human organoleptic grading expertise, with every vat hand-selected for taste, appearance, and functionality.

Millbrook's revenue model combines transaction-based trading margins on bulk volumes with professional services fees (grading/valuation) and branded retail revenue via Amazon, eBay, and international distribution partners such as Somerdale International. Disclosed revenue grew from £15.5m in its inaugural year to £26m in 2021/2022 (a 30% year-on-year increase), with volume reaching 10,469 tonnes in the year to January 2025 and profitability nearly doubling in the same period. Growth has been financed organically through two debt facilities: £1.6m from Lloyds Bank in 2020 and £4m from Santander UK in 2023, both supporting international expansion rather than dilutive equity. The business holds BRCGS AA Accreditation and won the King's Awards for Enterprise in International Trade 2024 for 109% overseas sales growth over three years.

Name

Millbrook Dairy Company

Legal name

Millbrook Dairy Company Ltd

Website

https://millbrookdairy.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Millbrook Dairy Company is a UK-based, founder-led global trader of cheese and butter, sourcing bulk dairy from accredited producers and supplying wholesalers, retailers, foodservice operators, and food manufacturers across Europe, North America, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific. It supplements trading with proprietary brands (1057, Seanachai), partner brands (Shirgar, ZZA), and expert grading and bespoke product development services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Dairy Wholesale and Trading

NAICS

Dairy Product (except Dried or Canned) Merchant Wholesalers (424430)

SIC

Wholesale-Groceries, General Line (5141), Wholesale-Groceries & Related Products (5140)

akta.pro primary industry

Butter & Cultured Dairy (Yogurt, Sour Cream, Kefir) Wholesale (AFAIAEAB)

Keywords

• Bulk cheese trading
• Dairy distribution
• Branded cheese products
• Cheese grading services
• Wholesale dairy export

Headquarters

HQ city

Bideford

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Bulk Cheese and Butter Trading: Core business of global buying and selling of cheese and butter in bulk quantities. Trades full truck loads (24t), individual pallets, and mixed pallets for multiple drops. Supplies white/coloured cheddar, red leicester, double gloucester, wensleydale, cheshire, reduced fat, high protein, gouda, edam, mozzarella, smoked, blended, waxed, prepacked and deli cheeses. Butter formats include size 7 portions, 250g packs, and 25kg bulk.
2. Branded Product Sales: Sale of proprietary branded products including 1057 Scottish Extra Mature Cheddar, Seanachai Irish Cheddar, and partnerships with branded butter products (Shirgar Welsh Butter, Holly's Meadow). Products sold in various retail and foodservice formats.
3. Grading and Valuation Services: Fee-based service for inspecting and grading clients' cheese stock across UK, Ireland and EU. Provides valuations for insurance and financing purposes. Helps customers ensure products meet their needs and generate buying gains.
4. Personalisation and Bespoke Product Development: Service offering expertise in creation and development of new formats and flavours across cheese and butter for UK wholesalers and foodservice operators. Includes signature cheeses, flavouring, innovative formats and shapes, and different sizes.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Millbrook Dairy Company is a global trader of bulk cheese and butter, sourcing and supplying varieties including white and coloured cheddar, Red Leicester, Wensleydale, Cheshire, Gouda, Edam, Mozzarella, smoked and blended cheeses, as well as portion, 250g pack, and 25kg bulk butter formats. The company complements its bulk trading business with proprietary brands (1057 Scottish Extra Mature Cheddar, Seanachai Irish Cheddar), partner brands (Shirgar Welsh Butter, ZZA Mozzarella), and value-added services including cheese grading/selection, grading and valuation, and bespoke product personalisation for UK and international wholesale, retail, and foodservice customers.

Product overview

Millbrook Dairy Company is a global buyer and seller of cheese and butter, operating as a unified portfolio of bulk commodities and branded products. The core business centers on bulk cheese and butter trading with grading/selection expertise, supplemented by owned brands (1057 Scottish Cheddar, Seanachai Irish Cheddar) and partner brands (Shirgar Welsh Butter, ZZA Mozzarella). Services include grading & selection, grading & valuation, and product personalisation. The company serves retail, wholesale, foodservice, and export channels across Europe, North America, Middle East, Asia-Pacific, and Australia.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• 1057: Premium Scottish Extra Mature Cheddar made from milk from cows grazing Scottish glens and highlands, named after the year King Macbeth was slain. Available in various retail and foodservice formats for UK and export markets including USA, Canada, and Australia.
• Seanachai
• Shirgar Welsh Butter

Products and services

• Bulk Cheese Global sourcing and trading of bulk cheese varieties including white and coloured cheddar, Red Leicester, Double Gloucester, Wensleydale, Cheshire, Gouda, Edam, Mozzarella, smoked, blended, waxed, prepacked, and deli cheeses, supplied as full truck loads, individual pallets, or mixed pallets for multiple drops. Targeted at wholesale distributors, foodservice operators, and retailers requiring BRC/GFSI-certified supply.
• Bulk Butter Trading of commercial butter in sweet cream, lactic, whey, salted, unsalted, frozen, and fresh formats across size 7 portions, 250g packs, and 25kg bulk for airlines, railways, cruise liners, bakeries, patisseries, and food service customers.
• 1057 Scottish Extra Mature Cheddar Premium Scottish extra mature cheddar made from milk from cows grazing Scottish glens and highlands, named after the year King Macbeth died. Aged a minimum of 14 months with crumbly texture and complex flavour profile. Sold to wholesale, foodservice, and retail customers in the UK and export markets including USA, Canada, and Australia.
• Seanachai Irish Cheddar

Quantifiable outcome

• 109% growth in overseas sales over 3 years
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ZZA IQF Mozzarella (Geris Food Group)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 March 2023Partnership with ZZA, part of Geris Food Group based in the Netherlands, to bring IQF mozzarella products to the UK bakery, foodservice, retail and wholesale sectors. ZZA produces high-quality, premium IQF mozzarella without starch, individually quick frozen for optimal taste and functionality.
• Rik Hanssen (Managing Director, Millbrook Dairy Europe BV)coreOthers · 28 April 2022Appointed Managing Director of Millbrook Dairy Europe BV, the company's first subsidiary in Limburg, Netherlands. Previously with Numidia BV, bringing wealth of commercial and dairy experience to lead European expansion.
• Somerdale InternationalcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExport partnership supporting 1057 Scottish Cheddar distribution in the US market. Somerdale International exports more than 250 British cheeses to over 50 countries worldwide, working with leading retailers, distributors and foodservice operators.
• Shirgar Welsh ButtercoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerPartnership with prize-winning Shirgar Welsh butter producer based in Carmarthenshire, Wales. Shirgar butter is churned and packed in the heart of Carmarthenshire, described as the 'real deal' with distinctive flavour. Available in butter and spreadable formats.
• SedexminorOthersMember of Sedex, one of the world's leading online platforms helping companies manage and improve working conditions in global supply chains. Supports responsible and sustainable business practices.
• Provision Trade Federation (PTF)minorOthersMember of PTF - the trade association for the Dairy and Meat Trade. Recognised by regulators, politicians, media, NGOs, and industry. Provides outstanding and timely information for members.
• BRCGScoreOthersBRCGS Agents and Brokers Certified with AA Accreditation. BRCGS operates the most rigorous third-party certification scheme globally, providing objective scrutiny of processes and standards for food safety.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Wyke Farms: One of the UK's largest independent cheese manufacturers and exporters (cheddar and other British cheeses). Comparable in being a UK-based, family-owned dairy business with strong export focus, though vertically integrated into manufacturing where Millbrook is a trader.
• Saputo Dairy UK: UK subsidiary of Canadian dairy giant Saputo Inc., owning Pilgrims Choice, Cathedral City and other leading cheddar brands. Comparable as a UK cheese market leader, though part of a multi-billion global group.
• Lactalis UK & Ireland: UK subsidiary of French dairy giant Lactalis, producing and distributing cheeses (including Président, Galbani). Comparable in being a major cheese supplier to UK retail/foodservice, though at far larger scale and with manufacturing integration.
• Arla Foods UK: UK arm of Scandinavian dairy cooperative Arla Foods, one of the largest dairy producers globally. Comparable as a broadline supplier of cheese and butter to UK retail and foodservice channels, though at multi-billion scale with owned manufacturing.
• Ornua (Irish Dairy Board): Irish dairy cooperative and global trader of Irish dairy products including cheddar and butter (Kerrygold). Kevin Beer previously worked at Ornua. Comparable in international dairy trading scale and Irish/UK cheddar sourcing focus.

Direct peers

• Barber's Farmhouse Cheesemakers: UK cheddar producer (Barber's 1833 Vintage) operating in both retail branded and wholesale/export channels. Comparable in British cheddar focus, family heritage and export-led growth, though with owned manufacturing capability.
• Pilgrims Choice: UK cheddar brand owned by Saputo Dairy UK, where the Millbrook founders worked together for over 20 years. Most direct comparable in product category (British cheddar) and heritage, though owned by a global dairy major.
• Somerdale International: UK-based exporter and distributor of British cheeses to over 50 countries, including 250+ British cheese brands. Channel partner and most direct comparable in scale and business model — both trade/source British and Irish cheeses for international wholesale and retail customers.

Others

• Nisa (Co-op Wholesale): UK symbol group and wholesale distributor serving independent retailers and foodservice. Comparable as a customer channel for Millbrook's wholesale and private-label cheese/butter products, illustrating the route-to-market dynamics the company depends on.

Regional players

• Bel Group UK (The Laughing Cow): UK operations of French dairy major Bel Group (The Laughing Cow, Babybel). Comparable in the processed and branded cheese segment, particularly foodservice portion-control formats where Millbrook is also expanding.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/MillbrookDairy

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Millbrook Dairy Company